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FRIEND OF THE SOUL: A Benedictine Spirituality of Work

Norvene Vest
Cowley Publications, USA; 1997

In an age when work takes up much of our day, Norvene Vest helps readers explore the meaning of work in the light of St Benedict’s teaching.

In her introduction, Work as a Holy Task, Vest, a Benedictine Oblate, asks the searching question: Are we meant to experience our work and our life as problem, punishment, or unfolding gift? (p.2)

She then sets out in an uncomplicated, direct style, drawing on the Rule of St Benedict, to explore the meaning of work in three simple chapters.

Work is not simply a means to an end, supporting ourselves or our families. Nor is it simply a means of service to others. Vest sees work primarily as a holy endeavour (p. 4).

The core of the book explores three underlying principles about work found in the Rule of Benedict.

In a brief introductory chapter, Vest sets the scene with some insights into the world in which Benedict lived. She then reflects on work as a vocation, responding to God’s daily call to become who we are (p.34); work as stewardship, working with God to tend and care for the world (p.58) and work as obedience, working as partners with God in the transformation and reconciliation of the world (p.137).

Vest’s reflections give fresh insights into the relevance of the Rule not just for those who live the monastic life, but for all who desire a rich and meaningful life.

She quotes meaningfully from Scripture, the Rule of Benedict and life experiences as she gradually draws her reader to deepen his or her personal understanding of work as life-giving and meaningful experience of encounter with God in service of one another.

At the end of each chapter Vest offers readers a range of exercises either as an aid to personal reflection or as a resource for small group reflection and sharing. The book ends with a short list of suggested books for further reading.

While not denying the very real difficulties and challenges of work in our contemporary world, Vest sees work as a means of using our God-given gifts and talents to contribute to the up-building of community by serving one another.

She challenges her readers to unite work and prayer as a means of bringing about the reign of God.

This book is an insightful read for those seeking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of work from a Benedictine perspective.

 

Bernardina Sontrop SGS

 

 


 

 

 

 

The Resource of the Month is a regular feature on the Good Samaritan Website. Its purpose is to introduce new resources relevant to Good Samaritan Benedictine spirituality and way of life to our readers. If you would like to recommend a book, article, film or website please forward a 250 word review to Sr Bernardina Sontrop bsontrop@goodsams.org.au  

archives - Book Reviews

THE OBLATE LIFE
Gervase Holdaway OSB
Canterbury Press, Norwich, UK; 2008
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MAKING ALL THINGS NEW
by Henri Nouwen
Gill and Macmillan, UK; 1981
- Click Here

THE WAY TO PARADOX -Spiritual Life as Taught by Meister Eckhart
by Cyprian Smith OSB
Darton Longman and Todd, UK; 2004
- Click Here

SAINT BENEDICT FOR THE LAITY
by Eric Dean
The Liturgical Press, USA; 1989
- Click Here

MAN OF BLESSING
by Carmen Acevedo Butcher
Paraclete Press, USA; 2006
- Click Here

HEART WHISPERS - Benedictine Wisdom for Today
by Elizabeth Canham
- Click Here

THE CRY OF THE PROPHET - A Call to Fullness of Life.
by Joan Chittister OSB
- Click Here

PEACE
The annual Benedictine Spirituality Lecture Series
- Click Here

40-Day Journey with Joan Chittister
Beverly Lanzetta, editor.
- Click Here

25 Windows into the Soul – Praying with the Psalms
Joan Chittister OSB, 2007, Benetvision USA.
- Click Here

Esther De Waal, Lost in Wonder, Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness
- Click Here

Norvene Vest, Gathered in the Word: Praying the Scripture in Small Groups
- Click Here

FINDING SANCTUARY - Monastic Steps for Every day Life by Christopher Jamison, Abbot of Worth Abbey. 2006, Weidenfield and Nicolson. UK.
- Click Here

 

Resource and Reading List

The Rule of St Benedict
Fry, T., RB80 In Latin and English, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1981

General Commentaries
Chittister, J., Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, San Francisco: Harper, 1991
- The Rule Of St Benedict: Insight for the Ages, New York: Crossroads, 1997
-In the Heart of the Temple, New York: Bluebridge, 2005
- 25 Windows into the Soul. Praying with the Psalms Benetvision 2007
De Waal, E., Seeking God: The Way of St Benedict, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1984, 2001
- A Life Giving Way, London: Geoffry Chapman, 1995
Drumm, D., Cherish Christ Above All, New York: Paulist Press, 1996
Holyhead, V., The Gift of St Benedict, Melbourne: John Garrett, 1995
Marrett-Crosby, A.,The Benedictine Handbook, Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2002
Norris, K., The Cloister Walk, New York: Riverhead Books, 1997
Swan, Laura Engaging Benedict. What the Rule can Teach us Today Indiana, Ave Maria Press 2005
Swan, Laura (ed) The Benedictine Tradition. Spirituality in History. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press 2007
Tomaine, J., St Bendict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living, USA: Morehouse, 2005
Vest, N., Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary on Rule of St Benedict, USA: Morehouse, 2004

On Prayer
Casey, M., The Art of Sacred Reading, Melbourne: Harper Collins, 1995
Merton, T., Seven Story Mountain, Harcourt- Brace, Javanovich, 1978
- New Seeds of Contemplation, New Directions, 1972
More Information on Thomas Merton is available at www.merton.org
Pennington, B., Lectio Divina: Reviewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures, New York: Crossroads, 1998

On The Sisters of the Good Samaritan
Walsh, M., The Good Sams: The Sisters of the Good Samaritan, 1857-1969, Melbourne: John Garratt, 2001
Heininger, J (ed)., Journey to the Heart: Mater Dei, 50 Years and 50 Stories, Sydney: Sisters of the Good Samaritan, 2007

PRAYER SITES
http://www.taize.fr/en
http://www.ChristianMystics.com
http://www.pray.com.au
http://www.clubi.ie/shalom/lectio
http://www.wellsprings.org.uk
http://prayerwindows.com
http://www.humilitymatters.com
http://churchresources.info/pray
http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org

BENEDICTINE MONASTERIES
http://www.christdesert.org
http://www.bedegriffiths.com
http://www.benetvision.org
http://www.osb.org
http://www.stgertrudes.org/index.htm
http://www.thedome.org
http://www.jamberooabbey.org.au
http://www.benedictinesisters.org
http://www.walburga.org
http://www.eriebenedictines.org
http://www.usccb.org